Artificial Teat

Abstract

The present invention resides in the soothing of infants, particularly soothing from persistent crying in distressed but healthy infants using an artificial teat having a neck and a head, wherein the head is solid. The teat has particular use for the normalisation of cranial rhythmic impulses in such infants.

1 . An artificial teat for use as a pacifier, the teat being a single unit having a neck and a head, wherein the head is solid. 
     
     
         2 . An artificial teat according to  claim 1 , wherein the neck and head are flexible relative to each other. 
     
     
         3 . An artificial teat according to  claim 1 , wherein the teat includes a waist, or narrowing, in its width and/or depth where the neck joins the head. 
     
     
         4 . An artificial teat according to  claim 1 , wherein the neck includes a cavity. 
     
     
         5 . An artificial teat according to  claim 1 , wherein the neck has a length that is less than about 30% of the total length of the teat, or optionally the neck has a length that is between about 20% to 30% of the total length of the teat. 
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . An artificial teat according to  claim 1 , wherein the head has a Shore hardness for medical grade silicone rubber of between about 10 and 30, or optionally the head has a Shore hardness for medical grade silicone rubber of between about 18 and 25. 
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . An artificial teat according to  claim 1 , wherein the head is angled upwards from a transverse (horizontal) plane. 
     
     
         10 . An artificial teat according to  claim 1 , wherein the head has a width of between about 15 and 20 mm, and/or the head has a length of the head of between about 20 and 30 mm. 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . An artificial teat according to  claim 1 , wherein the head includes a convex upper surface, and/or the head includes a concave lower surface. 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . An artificial teat according to  claim 1 , wherein the teat is made from natural latex or polyethylene terephthalate (PET). 
     
     
         15 . An artificial teat according to  claim 1 , wherein the teat includes a textured surface, and/or wherein the teat includes a micro-textured outer surface. 
     
     
         16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . An artificial teat according to  claim 1 , wherein the teat is attached to a shield. 
     
     
         18 . An artificial teat according to  claim 16 , wherein the shield includes one or more vent hole, and/or wherein the one or more vent hole comprises between about 30%-45% of the shield. 
     
     
         19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . An artificial teat according to  claim 16 , wherein the shield includes a textured surface on the face that, in use, contacts a user, and/or wherein the textured surface includes a micro-texture. 
     
     
         21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . An artificial teat according to  claim 16 , wherein the shield includes a grip on a face opposite the teat. 
     
     
         23 . An artificial teat according to  claim 22 , wherein the grip includes a recess. 
     
     
         24 . An artificial teat as claimed in  claim 1  for treating or soothing discomfort, or normalizing cranial rhythmic impulses in an infant. 
     
     
         25 . An artificial teat as claimed in  claim 24 , wherein the infant has abnormal or disrupted cranial rhythmic impulses. 
     
     
         26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . An artificial teat as claimed in  claim 24 , wherein the infant is healthy. 
     
     
         28 . An artificial teat as claimed in  claim 24 , wherein the infant is from new born up to about 2 years of age.